UAE travel advisory update: COVID-19 PCR tests mandatory for all inbound passengers

Thu 23/7/2020
General

The UAE has announced that COVID-19 test will be mandatory for all inbound and transit passengers, including Emiratis, residents, and tourists, arriving via the country's airports, irrespective of the countries they are coming from.

The decision to apply prior testing on all those coming to the country shall be applied as of 1st August without impingement on the mandatory testing measures that travellers have to follow upon arrival at the country's airports.

According to a joint statement by the National Crisis and Emergency Management Authority, NCEMA, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, MOFAIC, all passengers travelling thru the country's airports to the EU countries and the UK, as well as other countries that require PCR test, have to get tested prior to boarding their respective planes.

The announcement is in line with the country’s efforts to protect the health and safety of its citizens and residents and reduce the spread of coronavirus.

Children under the age of 12 and those with severe and moderate disabilities will be exempted from the test requirement, which has 96 hours of validity from the date of testing.

NCEMA and MoFAIC highlighted the necessity for all airlines operating in the UAE to comply with these requirements.

Related News

Wed 22/7/2026
General
UAE Strongly Condemns Houthi Group Statements Against Saudi Arabia

The United Arab Emirates has condemned in the strongest terms the statements made by the Houthi group against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including threats to impose a maritime blockade on the kingdom.

View Details
Tue 21/7/2026
Minister News
Abdullah bin Zayed congratulates Venezuelan FM, discusses strengthening bilateral ties in phone call

H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, congratulated Felix Plasencia on his appointment as Minister of People's Power for Foreign Relations and International Trade of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

View Details
Tue 21/7/2026
General
UAE Expresses Solidarity with India and Conveys Condolences over Flood Victims

The UAE has expressed its solidarity with the Republic of India over the victims of floods and landslides caused by heavy rainfall, which resulted in dozens of deaths and injuries, as well as significant damage.

View Details
Tue 21/7/2026
General
The UAE and Greece Hold the Second Round of Political Consultations in Athens

The UAE and Greece held the second round of political consultations in Athens, with Her Excellency Lana Nusseibeh, Minister of State, leading the UAE delegation and Her Excellency Alexandra Papadopoulou, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic, leading the Greek delegation.

View Details

Did you find this content useful?

You can help us improve by providing your feedback about your experience.

Have you used our services at our service centre or digitally recently?